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Mexican IVA taxes receivable
9 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2016
Value Added Tax Receivable [Abstract]  
Mexican IVA taxes receivable

11.Mexican IVA taxes receivable

 

Included in prepaids & other current assets and other assets are tax receivables due from the Mexican government for value-added taxes (IVA) paid in advance.  CDM is charged IVA by vendors on certain expenditures in Mexico, which, insofar as they identify with the exportation of goods, translate into monthly favorable VAT balance.

 

As of July 31, 2016 and October 31, 2015, IVA receivables totaled $14.5 million and $11.6 million.  Historically, CDM received IVA refund payments from the Mexican tax authorities on a timely basis.  Beginning in fiscal 2014 and continuing into fiscal 2016, however, the tax authorities began carrying out more detailed reviews of our refund requests and our supporting documentation.  Additionally, they are also questioning the refunds requested attributable to IVA paid to certain suppliers that allegedly did not fulfill their own tax obligations.  We believe these factors and others have contributed to delays in the processing of IVA claims by the Mexican tax authorities.  Currently, we are in the process of collecting such balances through regular administrative processes, but certain amounts may ultimately need to be recovered via legal means.  We believe that our operations in Mexico are properly documented and that the Mexican tax authorities will ultimately authorize the refund of the corresponding IVA amounts.  It is possible, however, that a portion of this amount will not be recovered.  We will continue to monitor the collection of these receivables with our outside consultants.

 

As of July 31, 2016, $7.4 million and $7.1 million of IVA were recorded in prepaids & other current assets and other assets.  As of October 31, 2015, $5.7 million and $5.9 million of IVA receivables were recorded in prepaids & other current assets and other assets.